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Difficulty: MediumWord Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

The executive council announced that the directive to dismantle the unauthorized structures was completely ________ and could not be altered or rescinded under any circumstances. Which of the following words uses the correct prefix, root, and suffix combination to express 'that which cannot be called back or altered'?

  1. irrevocableAnswer
  2. B
    unrevokable
  3. C
    nonrevocable
  4. D
    disrevocable

Answer

irrevocable
The word 'irrevocable' is correctly derived from the Latin negative prefix 'in-' (which assimilates to 'ir-' before 'r'), the root 'voc' (meaning to call), and the suffix '-able' (meaning capable of being). Together, they form the adjective meaning 'unable to be called back or revoked'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target meaning required by the sentence context
The sentence requires an adjective meaning 'impossible to call back, alter, or rescind'.
The context mentions that the directive 'could not be altered or rescinded'.
2
Analyze the morphological root and affixes required
Root: 'voc/voke' (Latin for 'call'); Suffix: '-able' (adjective suffix meaning 'capable of being'); Prefix: Latin negative prefix 'in-'.
Classical Latinate roots require appropriate Latinate prefixes following standard assimilation rules.
3
Apply phonological assimilation rules for the prefix
The prefix 'in-' assimilates to 'ir-' when attached to roots starting with the letter 'r'.
Prefix assimilation ensures phonetic alignment, turning 'in-' + 'revocable' into 'irrevocable'.

Key Concept

Word Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots
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Topics

Word Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

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